SINGLE-SEX SOIREE

Tied in with the issue of different recognition levels is the College’s strained relationship with single-sex organizations on campus.

Prior to recent discussions, the College has had virtually no official communications with final clubs and Greek organizations on campus for the last two decades.

But while evaluating the recognition process of student groups in general, the presence of final clubs kept coming up, Kidd says.

Not only has there been a proliferation of social groups in the last decade—including female final clubs, sororities and fraternities—but students are starting to speak up. And the College is listening.

“I would like to have an open line of conversation with the final clubs,” Kidd says.

The issue of final clubs was also mentioned in a September report about alcohol use on campus—which advocated more communication with social organizations to minimize dangerous drinking.

“The University does not officially recognize these groups, and the Committee acknowledges that there are very strong reasons for this policy. Nevertheless, we recommend that the policy be reexamined,” the report stated.

Even if more dialogue with social clubs helps improve safety and administrative concerns, some are skeptical that it will result in an overall gain for students.

“I’m not sure if the recognition of single-sex organizations will improve student life.” subcommittee member Jason L. Lurie ’05 says.

Administrators have already met with the presidents of many of these single-sex organizations. The subcommittee met with the presidents of all-female clubs on Jan. 11—including the Bee, Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, the Isis, Pleiades, the Sabliere Society, and the Seneca—and met with the presidents of male social clubs on Feb. 1—including Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Delphic Club for Gentlemen, the Fly, the Fox, the Porcellian, the Phoenix SK, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and the Spee.

The subcommittee’s subsequent meeting on March 8 to discuss the issues raised saw no unanimity of opinion, but indicated a further commitment to examine these issues.

The subcommittee will discuss these issues further with Dean of the College Benedict H. Gross ’71 and Deputy Dean Patricia O’Brien in May and most likely will come out with a report on student group recognition next fall, according to Kidd.

The women’s organizations—as well as male organizations who do not have a house—voiced concerns about the lack of space for events.

Female groups also criticized the College for not addressing the presence of final clubs on campus in the past.